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Friedman Butterslax Bill Kelliher Signature 100-watt 3-channel Tube Head with EL34s

100-watt 3-channel All-tube Guitar Amplifier Head with Line-out, Effects Loop, and 2-button Footswitch
$3,999.99

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Friedman Butterslax Bill Kelliher Signature 100-watt 3-channel Tube Head with EL34s
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Bill Kelliher of Mastodon's Signature Amp

The Friedman Butterslax is the signature tube amplifier head of Mastodon guitarist, Bill Kelliher. The Butterslax unleashes a wide range of savage yet extremely articulate distorted tones from its three selectable channels. Even the "clean" channel is better suited to rock-style crunch than crystal-clean timbres. And you'll find just enough features, such as Friedman's transparent effects loop, a variable line-out, and an included 2-button footswitch, to attain full sonic control of your tone. Take the Butterslax for a test drive, but hold on tight.

Friedman Butterslax Bill Kelliher Signature Amplifier Head at a Glance:
  • A straightforward, fire-breathing rock amp
  • Unbelievably clear distorted tones
  • Friedman's famous effects loop and other additions
A straightforward, fire-breathing rock amp

At first glance, the 100-watt Friedman Butterslax Bill Kelliher signature amplifier head may look like a well-behaved classic rock amp. While those iconic tones are on tap, plugging into the Butterslax immediately throws you into a world of high-gain rock tones that are to die for. Dialing in the amp's voice couldn't be easier with its simple-to-understand control layout. Two independent tone stacks control the "clean" channel and the two overdrive channels respectively.

Unbelievably clear distorted tones

Bill Kelliher demands a high level of articulation when he's pummeling stages around the world with his band Mastodon. Therefore, from the cleanest tones to diming the gain on the third channel, you won't believe how clear and articulate the sound remains. The clean channel is engineered to offer a good amount of breakup, while being very touch sensitive for cleaner passages. The second channel is based on Friedman's popular BE gain circuit. And the third channel, as Kelliher puts it, "is the disintegration channel."

Friedman's famous effects loop and other additions

One thing that keeps Friedman amps at the top of Sweetwater guitarists' list is their powerful and transparent effects loops. That effects loop is on full display around back of the Butterslax. You'll also find an input for the included 2-button footswitch, a 3-position impedance selector switch for matching the amplifier's output to your favorite speaker cabinet, and a line output with its own volume control. The Butterslax boasts all the features a hard-rock guitarist demands with nothing to get in the way.

Friedman Butterslax Bill Kelliher Signature Amplifier Head Features:
  • Signature amp head of Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher
  • 3 channels deliver all the gain you could desire
  • Vintage styling
  • Friedman effects loop is very transparent sounding
  • 100 watts of all-tube power
  • 3-position impedance switch matches to any guitar cabinet
  • 2-button footswitch included
The Butterslax is designed for the sonic devastation of Mastodon.

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube, Hand-wired
  • Number of Channels: 3
  • Total Power: 100W
  • Preamp Tubes: 4 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 4 x EL34
  • EQ: Dual 3-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (4/8/16 ohm out), 1 x 1/4" (line out)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channel, boost)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 2-button footswitch
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: Baltic Birch with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 11"
  • Width: 27.25"
  • Depth: 9"
  • Weight: 42 lbs
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Butterslax

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

AMAZING AMP!!

So after having this amp for a month and playing a few shows I had to give this amp a review. This amp is nothing short of amazing! Clear, Articulate and Punchy. I know this amp is expensive but it's worth every penny. I have had just about every high end amp out there and for my taste they all are missing that magical something that this amp has. This is not the amp to get if you want a crystal clean channel. The first channel with the gain dialed back can be a pretty good clean channel but lets be honest you're not looking at this amp for clean tone. The first channel to me is like a plexi-style amp. It's very punchy with a little hair on it. Second channel is like a plexi on steroids,more gain but still very articulate.This channel is very brown sound-ish but can also reach Alice in Chains tone(them bones). The third channel is extremely crazy gain. If you need more gain than this channel has your ears straight up suck lol. While this channel has more gain than you will ever need it is still clear and articulate without being harsh. All the channels, even with all the gain are amazingly quite. I've heard some of the youtube clips on this head that sound kind of fizzy or harsh and that is definitely not the case with this amp, its very smooth, rich and organic. I've also have had friedman's be50 deluxe, 100be, pink taco and JJ100. They all sounded great but to me pale in comparison to the Butterslax. Finally, Sweetwater was absolutely wonderful to work with as a online purchaser, particularly Ryan. I went through 3 different heads before I ended up with the one I was happy with and not once did I have any issues with returns. I am now a loyal customer for life on any new purchases. I have never felt like someone cared so much about my satisfaction as a customer than with Ryan from Sweetwater. His customer service has earned my business.
Music background: working musician
Rated 5/5

Stunning and Brutal

One of the most brutal amps i have ever experienced. Build quality is amazing and the amp is versatile. Can go from clean to brutally mean.
Music background: Recording musican
Rated 5/5

Butterslax

I have a Runt 20, BE 100, and the Butterslax. After all these years somebody finally figured how to get the tone we all chase into a line of amps.
The Butterslax is a high gain amp...but all tones are available. Channel one goes nice clean to Plexi like tones. Channel 2 is hot rodded and channel 3 low end is tight low end..with ground shaking palm muted chunking.
No O.D. pedals needed. Some delay and reverb sounds good with them.
Amazing amps!! I have gone through so many amps and so much money over the past 27 years.
I am selling all my other gear. Absolutely the best sounding amps I have ever heard.
Dave Friedman is the man. Buy one and you will not be dissapointed. Youtube clips are very accurate as to what each amp sounds like.
No reason to discuss features, just listen to the clips.
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